An ornithology tour from the Atlantic to the Kasbah`s of South Morocco. The south of Morocco
around Agadir and the desert and mountainous areas to the east are ideal for an excursion during
the slightly cooler winter months up till April. Here you can observe many bird species which
overwinter or pass through. The weather is pleasantly warm and rain is very seldom. Of particular
interest is the last small population of the Northern Bald Ibis living totally in the wilds. This
area has wonderful scenic views changing from rugged mountains to desert landscapes. Finally a
visit to the fascinating towns with their clay buildings and oriental-African markets.
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- Day 1
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Arrival
Flight to Agadir and drive to Taroudant where we stay for the night. We may
see the first House Buntings, Bulbuls, Cattle Egrets and White Storks en
route.
- Day 2
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Taroudant, Quarzazate
Short field trip in a canyon near Aoulouz. Here we have observed Peregrine Falcon, Booted
Eagle and Short-toed Snake-Eagle. We can see Pallid Swift, House Swift and
Spotless Starling near a small settlement. 1 overnight in Quarzazate.
- Day 3
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Quarzazate, Boumaine
In the morning we pay attention to Black-bellied Sandgrouse that call while flying –
we observed them here before. In the desert-like surrounding area we have the opportunity
to see White-crowned Wheatear, Desert Lark and Common Raven. Stop at a reservoir where
Ruddy Shelduck, Osprey, Egyptian Vulture, Bonelli's Eagle, Purple Heron, Collared Pratincole
and others could be observed in the past. Another field trip near Skoura in rose copses that
are used to extract rose petal oil for perfume production. Here we have observed Common Quail,
Barbary Falcon, Subalpine Warbler, Common Hoopoe, European Bee-eater and others. On another
field trip in the desert we may possibly see Brown-necked Raven, Red-rumped Wheatear, Desert
Wheatear and Temminck's Lark. Two overnights in Boumaine.
- Day 4
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Boumaine, steppe area, Dades Gorge
Very early morning departure to look for the rare Houbara Bustard whose courtship
we previously observed in this area. With luck, we can detect Cream-coloured Courser,
Thick-billed Lark and Hoopoe Lark. At the upper reaches of Dades River is a deep canyon.
Only the river banks are covered with vegetation, the mountains are desert-like bare.
In the past, we could observe Long-legged Buzzard, Blue Rock Thrush, Trumpeter
Finch, Moussier's Redstart, Eurasian Crag-Martin, Cetti's Warbler and others. On
another field trip through the steppe of Artemisia we may see the rare Bar-tailed Lark.
- Day 5
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Boumaine, Tinerhir, Erfoud
Visit to the lovely oasis town of Tinerhir, afterwards field trip in Todrha
Gorge where we can possibly see the North African variety of Blue Tit and other
species. At the oasis Tinejdad we pay attention to Dupont's Lark. In Rheris Valley and
the surrounding area we previously observed Trumpeter Finch, Blue-cheeked Bee-eater and
Rock Sparrow. Via Tourog to the desert. Two overnights in Erfoud.
- Day 6
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Oasis Tafilat, desert areas
Visit to Morocco’s largest date palm oasis, afterwards drive towards the great
sand dunes. Apart from the species mentioned above we can also see Sand Partridge and
Stone Curlew.
- Day 7
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Quarquazate
We drive back on the route between High Atlas and Anti-Atlas to Quarzazate where
we stay for the night. Observation stops en route at several spots that we could not
visit on the outward journey. We will certainly detect the odd new species or
have a chance to get a better look at some we have already seen. On our trip back,
depending on the time of day, the landscape appears completely different than before.
- Day 8
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Drive to Soustal, Agadir
The river valley shows a markedly increased amount of vegetation, with Cypress
avenues and olive and orange copses. European Roller, Great Grey Shrike, Woodchat Shrike
and Crested Lark are only a few species that we can expect to see. Hotel in Agadir
until our departure.
- Days 9 to 10
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Oued Massa National Park, lake landscape, Tamri
On these two days we want to pay an extensive visit to the estuary of Massa
River and the vast, partly reeded wetlands. In the past, we detected Bald Ibis south
of Inezgane – if we do not find them here, we will drive around North of Tamri where
the chances to observe Bald Ibis are better. The lake areas near the river and the
surrounding areas are home to species like Flamingo, Little Egret, Black-crowned
Night-Heron, Squacco Heron, Little Bittern, Eurasian Spoonbill, Glossy Ibis,
Marbled Duck, Tawny Eagle, Black-crowned Tchagra, Lesser Kestrel, Zitting Cisticola,
Tristram's Warbler, Rufous Scrub Robin and the Mauritanian variety of Magpie.
Waders can also be found, Black-winged Stilt, Pied Avocet, Whimbrel,
Black-tailed Godwit, Curlew Sandpiper and others. We can count on seeing
Little Tern, Black Tern, Whiskered Tern and Gull-billed Tern, as well as
Plain Martin, Thekla Lark, Little Owl and Alpine Swift. Opportunity to visit the
bazaar in Agadir.
- Day 11
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Departure from Agadir
Tranfer to the airport for return flight.
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